Assessment of traffic-related chemical components in ultrafine and fine particles in urban areas in Vietnam.

Ultrafine particles (UFPs or PM0.1; aerodynamic diameter ≤ 0.1 µm) were monitored at a roadside site (RS) in a populated area of Hanoi, Vietnam. Meanwhile, UFPs and fine particles (FPs or PM2.5, aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 µm) were monitored at an ambient site (AS), located at an on-campus a university, approximately 200 m away from the RS. Sampling was conducted in different seasons-summer, winter, and the transitional periods of summer-to-winter and winter-to-summer (STP and WTP, respectively). Carbonaceous and ionic species in UFPs and FPs-rarely investigated in the study area-were analyzed to observe the seasonal variations, characteristics of UFPs near the roadway, and spatial differences between the sites. The UFPs concentration at the AS was in the order of winter > STP > WTP > summer, whereas that of the FPs was winter > WTP > STP > summer. This seasonal variation of particle concentration was possibly affected by the meteorological conditions, which contribute to the highest concentration in winter. The higher FPs concentration in WTP than in STP resulted from the substantial increase in ionic concentrations, particularly sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium. This result indicates the effect of secondary formation processes under drizzle-like weather, which is typical during WTP in northern Vietnam. Compared with UFPs at the AS, traffic-related emissions were more noticeable in UFPs at the RS, including a higher EC concentration and lower OC/EC ratio. The possibility of particle growth under favorable conditions, including the presence of gas-phase pollutants and the availability of surface areas owing to high UFPs concentration in Hanoi, may explain the low correlation of the chemical components between UFPs and FPs in the sites. This study serves as a reference for further investigation of the relationship between UFPs and FPs under highly polluted conditions in big cities in Vietnam in future studies.

A Novel Herbal Medicine for Dyslipidemia: Assessments in Experimental Models.

Dyslipidemia substantially contributes to the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The polyherbal formulation has been a traditional therapeutic strategy used to treat dyslipidemia. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of a novel herbal medicine called "GANMO" on an experimental animal model with endogenous dyslipidemia and exogenous dyslipidemia. In the endogenous hyperlipidemia model, rats were previously treated with GANMO tablets and intraperitoneally injected with poloxamer 407 to induce hyperlipidemia. In the exogenous hyperlipidemia model, rats were given oral administration of oil-cholesterol mixture and GANMO for 4 consecutive weeks. Serum lipid profiles were assessed at all experimental animals. In both models, GANMO at both doses significantly decreased the serum total cholesterol (TC) level and non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level as compared with the model group. HDL cholesterol levels increased in rats with high doses of GANMO compared to those with low doses. GANMO at both doses substantially reduced TG level in the endogenous hyperlipidemia model. In conclusion, GANMO tablets posed a positive effect on serum lipid modulations in dyslipidemia models.

Association between exposure to macrolides and the development of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Macrolides are bacteriostatic antibiotics with a broad spectrum of activity against Gram-positive bacteria. The aim of this study was to systematically review and meta-analyze the association between infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) and macrolides. Nine databases were searched systematically for studies with information on the association between macrolides and IHPS. We combined findings using random effects models. Our study revealed 18 articles investigating the association between macrolides and IHPS. There was a significant association between the development of IHPS and erythromycin (2.38, 1.06-5.39). The association was strong when erythromycin was used during the first 2 weeks of life (8.14, 4.29-15.45). During breastfeeding, use of macrolides showed no significant association with IHPS in infants (0.96, 0.61-1.53). IHPS was not associated with erythromycin (1.11, 0.9-1.36) or macrolides use during pregnancy (1.15, 0.98-1.36).Conclusions: There is an association between erythromycin use during infancy and developing IHPS in infants. However, no significant association was found between macrolides use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Additional large studies are needed to further evaluate potential association with macrolide use. What is known? • Erythromycin intake in the first 2 weeks of life is associated with an increased risk of pyloric stenosis. What is New? • There is currently no evidence of significant association between macrolides use during pregnancy or breastfeeding and pyloric stenosis.